She was given a hero’s welcome upon landing in the country.
On Sunday, July 12, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala made her return to the Philippines, days after she concluded her historic four-round campaign at the Wimbledon Championships.
During which, she became the first Filipina to ever reach the fourth round of the competition and was also the first-ever to be seeded at the said Grand Slam event.
Prior to that, also won her second WTA 125 title in Birmingham, which follows her previous win in Guadalajara in 2025.
Welcoming her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were some sports officials led by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Pato Gregorio, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino, and Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Secretary-General and Navotas Mayor Johnrey Tiangco.
Alongside them, she was also warmly received by 50 athletes from Navotas, music from Bandang Kawayan ng Pilipinas, as well as members of the public who joined in celebrating her milestones.
Just as she was heading out to the arrivals hall, the 21-year-old athlete was seen being overwhelmed in a video uploaded by PHILTA, as she uttered the words, “Is this really for me?”
OFFICIALS ON EALA’S ACHIEVEMENTS
The local sports officials also shared their messages for Eala. For PSC Chairman Gregorio, he noted that the her win has a huge impact on Philippine sports in general.
“Napakalaki, very obvious ‘yung impact ni Alex sa Philippine sports, hindi lang sa Philippine tennis. Not just in her career, talagang malaki ‘yung impact sa Philippine sports,” he said.
Meanwhile, POC President Tolentino told, “Welcome home, one of our national treasures in sports.”
For PHILTA SecGen Tiangco, he described Alex as a “modern-day hero” and added, “So kailangan lang, kahit papaano, meron tayong magandang welcome para sa kanya. Hinahangaan siya, hindi lang dahil magaling mag-tennis, kundi bilang Pilipino.”
THE ALEX EFFECT
Meanwhile, with the unprecedented attention she has brought to tennis, stakeholders are now working to promote the sport in the Philippines.
According to Gregorio, a big company in Cebu is looking to build courts to allow the province to host future WTA tournaments.
“Galing lang ako sa Cebu nung isang araw at may isang malaking kumpanya roon, saka na natin i-disclose kung sino, na talagang gusto magpatayo ng limang tennis courts, competition courts, so that Cebu can host the WTA in the very near future,” Gregorio shared.
In addition, tennis courts in Baguio City are also undergoing rehabilitation phase at the moment.
“We have to open opportunities for everyone. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na mayroong ganito, automatic na ‘yun. Kailangan mas dumami ‘yung courts, maging available siya sa lahat ng lugar. Kailangan may magandang programa,” said Tiangco.
UPDATES FROM ALEX
Eala is in the country for a short break and allow herself to recharge following her successive events abroad. Apart from spending her time with family, she is also expected to meet fans in Manila.
She also achieved her career-best placement in the WTA index, where she ranked 28th globally.
Alex is also set to go back to North America next, as she will step foot on the hard court of the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., which will begin on July 27.
